Dec

7

The Best Value in Holiday Gifts

Filed Under Saving Money, Shopping | 2 Comments

Great Holiday GiftI was taught that when you’re asking a price for something in Spain, you ask not cuanto costo, (how much?) but Que Vale (What is the value?) .  There are many definitions of value, and all come into play this holiday season. As a frugalista, I refer to value as getting the best for your money, but as we move forward and out of this darned recession, especially when it comes to gifts, it starts to take on the meaning of valuable, as in, will the recipient get value out of it.

Thinking like that, one of the most valuable gifts we received for our wedding was a $100 gift card for the local movies.  For that $100, my hubby and I were treated to four evenings out, including popcorn.  And we always thought of the the nice relatives who gave them to us, every time we went out.

This year, frugal is in, but does it extend to gifts?  In our humble opinion, give the value, not the gift.  That is, don’t worry so much about how much or how little you’re spending, but think instead of how much the recipient will value it.  Know Your Giftee!  In our humble opinions, the best gifts for Holiday ’09 should replace the little luxuries that people have given up cause they’re cutting back.  Give a massage gift certificate, or one for a manicure or pedicure.  For couples and families, think movies, travel or dining out.  Hotel room certificates can be bought with any cash-back or hotel points you’ve been hoarding, and many restaurants are giving generous rebates.

You can buy discounted cards at PlasticJungle.com, GiftCardsAgain.com, or GiftCardRescue.com.

Special restaurant deals include Red Robin, Chevy’s, Buca di Beppo , Bonefish Grille, Outback Steakhouse, P.F. Chang’s, Yard House, Cheesecake Factory and Applebee’s.   Also, Sports Authority is giving 10 % off of the purchase of the giftee and the gifter gets a coupon for $10 off of a $50 purchase from Dec 26, 2009 to Jan 31, 2010  and  Barnes & Noble is offering a free $10 gift card for every $100 gift card purchase through Dec. 6. The $10 GC may be used as of Dec 26, and is effectively a 10% discount on gift cards. $20 for $200, etc.

Thanks to Julia the Bargain Babe and her readers for some of these.

Most important, always ask for a discount.  Why not?

Happy Shopping.

PS: I put in an application for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida.  Will keep you posted.

Meanwhile, for some more good shopping advice, click here.

Aug

20

Diving for Discounts

Filed Under Saving Money | 1 Comment

the art and science of dumpster divingLast week, the Miami Herald published what I find to be a troubling article, entitled Freegans, referring to people who live by salvaging other people’s discards.  As the “anti-consumers”, these people both eschew capitalism and loathe waste.  Also referred to as Dumpster Diving and many other terms, it includes searching for anything, including food, with health warnings galore.  There’s even a book about it!

Personally, used food is where I draw the line.  But for furniture and other treasures, it can really be a good way to go.  Last week, before leaving on our trip, my sister went through the (dry, all paper) garbage in her mail room to retrieve about 50 Dunkin Donuts free-coupon books that we’ve been using along the way.  I have furnished a few houses almost exclusively with found objects.  My friend Ralph found a stereo component in perfect working order, and sold it on eBay for several hundred dollars. And that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.  We’ve barely scratched the surface of stuff you can buy second-hand to save you unbelievable amounts of money.

Most things can be used and re-used before they reach the end of their natural lives.  Some continue in their original uses, maybe in a different place.  Some things are transformed into other items or to objects of art. (I call this Art Wrecko.)

How do you find the best things without getting your hands dirty?  Beyond rubber gloves, start by “shopping” in the finest areas — find out which nights are garbage nights in the high-rent districts in your area, and bone up on your Antique Roadshow skills.  One friend of mine found two old chairs, took them home to strip and refinish and discovered that they were actually valuable antiques!

Beyond Craigslist, Ebay and local yard and estate sales, there are lots of places to shop, some without even having to leave home.  For a starting list of free and bartering sites, click here.

Finally, a Road Trip update:  We’ve been on Fire Island for 6 days so far, and have spent an additional $7 to buy ice cream for our housemates. That’s all, folks!

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